Dama-pradhāna-dharma (Self-restraint as the Root of Dharma) — Śānti-parva 154
अजिद्दात्वमशाठ्यं च यत्नतः परिमार्गत | तुम सब लोग धर्म, सत्य, शास्त्रज्ञान, न्यायपूर्ण बर्ताव समस्त प्राणियोंपर बड़ी भारी दया, कुटिलताका अभाव तथा शठताका त्याग--इन्हीं सद्गुणोंका यत्नपूर्वक अनुसरण करे
ajid dātvam aśāṭhyaṃ ca yatnataḥ parimārgata
Jambuka berkata: “Dengan sungguh-sungguh carilah kebajikan pengendalian diri, kedermawanan, dan bebas dari tipu daya. Hendaklah kalian semua mengikuti dharma dan kebenaran, menumbuhkan pengetahuan śāstra, bertindak adil, menaruh belas kasih yang dalam kepada semua makhluk, serta meninggalkan kelicikan dan kemunafikan.”
जम्बुक उवाच
The verse urges disciplined cultivation of key virtues—self-restraint, generosity, sincerity, truthfulness, justice, scriptural understanding, and compassion for all beings—while explicitly rejecting crookedness and hypocrisy.
In Śānti Parva’s ethical instruction setting, Jambuka speaks as a moral teacher, advising listeners to actively seek and practice foundational virtues that sustain dharma and social harmony.